COMMISSIONER'S COLUMN

With a number of outdoor racing events taking place across the U.S. Virgin Islands in May and June, active travelers can let Mother Nature test their endurance before kicking back and relaxing on the beach. What’s more, visitors can rake in the savings with destination deals like Dive in Five, Family Fun, INNtimate Treasures and St. Croix Fantastic Flight still available! Keep reading below for more details…

Here’s a glimpse at the activities in store for May and June

Annual Springtime Arts, Crafts & Music Festival, St. Thomas
Held on May 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tillett Gardens, this festival offers an array of crafts that include pottery, glassware and jewelry from about 30 local artists who continue to apply the "Tillett box" method learned from the late Jim Tillett. Maps and prints on display bear evidence of the "undersea fantasies" and "seascapes” that are typical island scenes.  For more information, call (340) 799-4940 or go to www.tillettgardens.com/.  

St. Croix Ironman Triathlon
This race starts with a 1.24 mile swim in Christiansted Harbor, followed by a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. The race is one of the few Ironman 70.3 races to give its’ participants a chance to qualify for two World Championship events.  Twenty-eight Ironman Qualifying slots will be awarded for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, and 40 slots to the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida. For more information, call (340) 773-8456 or go to www.stcroixtriathlon.com/.  

Art Thursdays, St. Croix      
Once a month, the St. Croix art community extends an invitation to the public to come out and be a part of the art community through a series of gallery walks. The next events take place on May 14 and June 10. For more information, please visit www.gotostcroix.com/art/index.php.   

Grow and Learn, St. George Village Botanical Garden, St. Croix
St. George Village Botanical Garden's series of hands-on workshops are held on the third Friday of each month (May 15 and June 18) in the Pavilion at the Bodine's Visitors Center from 3 – 5 p.m. Past workshops include learning how to properly prune plants and making tequila from agave. The fee is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Call (340) 692-2874, or visit www.sgvbg.org for more information.

Sunset Jazz, Frederiksted, St. Croix 
Every third Friday of each month (May 17 and June 18), the Fort Frederik Beach in Frederiksted features live music from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunset Jazz concerts are free and guests can buy food and drinks from the concert concession area. For more information, call (340) 772-0069.

7th Annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, St. John
On May 30, swimmers from near and far will assemble on Maho Bay for this annual open-water swim, which consists of three separate courses of varying difficulty. Swimmers may compete as individuals, part of a 3-person team or in the "assisted" category using snorkel and fins. To register, or for more information, go to www.friendsvinp.org.      

St. John Festival
St. John celebrates Carnival, also known as “St. John Festival” with a month of cultural events and activities throughout June. Events include steel-pan bands concerts, beauty pageants, calypso shows, parades and fireworks displays. The month-long celebrations come to a close on July 4 with the Parade and Fireworks display in Cruz Bay. Call 1(800) 372-USVI to learn more about June’s events. 

Caribbean Dance Annual Performance, St. Croix
The Caribbean Dance School will host its annual performance on June 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. at Island Center. Tickets are available for $15. Call (340) 778-8824 to purchase or to find out more details.

26th Annual Women’s Race, St. Croix
Women and girls of all ages throughout St. Croix run, walk, talk and have fun as they participate in this event. The race has traditionally drawn over 500 participants and takes place in downtown Christiansted on June 6, beginning at 4:45 p.m. To learn more, call (340)773-9272, or www.wcstx.com.  

Golden Hook Challenge, St. Croix
This annual challenge takes place June 7 and 8, and is the first in a series of tournaments hosted each year by the Golden Hook Fishing Club.  The organization encourages saltwater game fishing while instilling an awareness of marine life conservation. Call (340)778-0487 or go to www.fishstx.com for more details. 

Relay for Life, St. Thomas
This race against cancer will be held at the Charlotte Amalie High School track from June 26-27. Family members, friends and co-workers walk, jog and run at the event that unites the community against cancer. Call (340) 775-5373 for more information.

Each month, join us weekly for:

Live Music at Salud! Bistro, St. Croix
Every Friday and Saturday night, guests are invited to listen to live music while enjoying delicious Spanish and Mediterranean-influenced food from 7 to10 p.m. Salud! is located just a few minutes west of Christiansted in Princess Plaza. For more information, call (340)718-7900 or visit www.saludbistro.com.

Live Jazz, St. Croix
Enjoy live music from the gazebo and delightful dinner specials at Sand Castle on the Beach in Frederiksted every Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Experience “Iguana Lounge” for hot and cold tapas with vibrant sunsets, trade winds and freshly prepared foods. For more information, call (340) 772-1205 or visit   www.sandcastleonthebeach.com.

Weekly Yoga Classes, VISFI, St. Croix
The Healing Collective at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute offers yoga each Sunday at the community center. Classes take place at 9:30 a.m. and $10-15 donations are appreciated. For more information, call (340) 332-8255 or visit   www.visfi.org.

Saturday Night Beer Pong, St. John Brewers
Head down to The Tap Room, St. John Brewers’ microbrewery and bar located in Cruz Bay, every Saturday night from 8:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. for a night of fun drinking games. The Tap Room is the only craft beer draft bar on St. John or St. Thomas and boasts the largest selection of microbrewed beers in the Caribbean. For more information, go to www.stjohnbrewers.com.

Caribbean Night at Café Concordia, St. John
Every Tuesday night at Estate Concordia from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. is Caribbean Night. For more information, call (340) 693-5855 or visit www.maho.org/concordia.cfm.

Thursday Reggae at Café Concordia, St. John
Musician Wayne Clendenen performs every Thursday at Estate Concordia from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call (340) 693-5855 or go to www.maho.org/concordia.cfm.

Some exciting news from our shores:

Concordia’s Innovative Studios Ready for Winter Vacations, St. John
The newest eco-resort, Estate Concordia Preserve, has spent the last several months constructing the first four of the fifteen Concordia Eco-Studios.  All new Concordia units, built with the SIPS (Sustainable Insulated Panel Systems) panels minimize waste and ensure a high insulation value. Now completed and situated in the lush, natural environment of St. John, the Eco-Studios are designed to qualify as Energy Star Rated Homes and are the first buildings to apply for certification by the Island Green Builders Association.  Concordia’s first four units are available for spring vacations.  For more information, please www.maho.org.

Virgin Islands Ecotours of Hassel Island, St. Thomas
Since November 2009, Virgin Islands Ecotours has been offering visitors the opportunity to experience the previously inaccessible, historic Hassel Island. The “Kayak, Hike & Snorkel to Historic Hassel Island” tours let visitors explore Danish and Napoleonic era forts and ruins of the 19th century marine railway.  The tour begins with a 20-minute kayak ride, where guests enjoy the beautiful beaches and reefs lining the scenic route. The tour goes on to lead guests ashore to learn more about the history of the ruins, and concludes with a snorkel excursion along the reef. Three-hour and five-hour tours are available and prices include kayaking and snorkeling equipment and instruction. For more information and reservations, go to www.viecotours.com or call (340) 779 -2155.

Special Promotions:

St. Croix Fantastic Flight
Just in time for the spring season and Memorial Day weekend, travelers visiting St. Croix can save $500 through the St. Croix Fantastic Flight promotion, which includes a $300 airfare credit and $200 in certificates for dining, attractions and shopping.  Travelers must book their trip between April 1 and June 15 for travel to St. Croix between April 18 and June 30, 2010.

With its rich culture, colorful history and diverse activity offerings, St. Croix is a perfect vacation option for families, friends and couples alike. Culture-seekers love the island’s music, vibrant Danish architecture, historic landmarks, and unique culinary scene.  Nature-lovers enjoy visits to the botanical gardens and tide pools, while beach-enthusiasts love the Buck Island National Monument-one of the world’s best snorkeling spots and the many pristine, secluded beaches around the island’s shores.

Hotels participating in the St. Croix Fantastic Flight promotion include: The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix, Colony Cove, Company House Hotel, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, King Christian Hotel and Sand Castle on the Beach. 

The package is based on double occupancy, applies to new bookings only and cannot be combined with other promotions. St. Croix Fantastic Flight must be booked through one of the following participating tour operators: GOGO Worldwide Vacations, Travel Impressions, CheapCaribbean.com, The Mark Travel Corporation, Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz.

USVI “Family Fun” Promotion
Families love the U.S. Virgin Islands, where summer fun is available for less. With the Department of Tourism’s new Family Fun promotion, mom, dad and the kids can explore the many adventures to be had in St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. When parents reserve one two-person room, they receive 50 percent off the price of a second room for the kids. The package also includes $200 in certificates for restaurants and activities such as shopping, golf, spa services and sailing.

The Family Fun package is bookable through May 31, 2010 for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2010. The package is based on a five-night minimum stay with double occupancy per room, applies to new bookings only and cannot be combined with other promotions. Blackout dates may apply.  The Family Fun package can be booked by contacting your favorite travel agent. 

Hotels participating in the Family Fun promotion include:  Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, Point Pleasant Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Sapphire Beach Resort, Secret Harbour Beach Resort and Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas; The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix, Divi Carina Bay Resort & Casino, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Sand Castle on the Beach and Tamarind Reef Hotel on St. Croix; Concordia Eco-Tents, Maho Bay Camps and The Westin St. John Resort & Villas on St. John.

Dive for Five in the USVI
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is offering divers an opportunity to save up to $300 on dives with its Dive in Five promotion. The package, which is bookable through September 30, 2010 for travel between June 1 and October 31, 2010, includes a $300 dive credit for five days of 2-tank boat dives for those who reserve a 5-night stay or more.

The Dive in Five package is bookable exclusively through Caradonna Dive Adventures (www.caradonna.com/go/USVI) and requires a 5-night minimum stay with a limit of one $300 savings per booking. The offer is not valid on preexisting reservations and does not include airfare taxes/fees and/or destination charges.  This offer is not valid for consumers residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Restrictions apply.

Explore the "INNtimate Treasures" of the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands invites travelers to enjoy the unique charm of Thomas, St. John and St. Croix with a more personal and customized experience than ever, thanks to the INNtimate Treasures package.

The package includes $50 in attractions and activity coupons, and a $50 dining certificate along with an eco-friendly, USVI-branded gift bag that includes a bottle of Cruzan Rum, and a USVI-branded t-shirt.  The INNtimate Treasures promotion is based on a four-night minimum stay and will end when all available packages are sold.

Hotels participating in the INNtimate Treasures promotion include: Coconut Coast Villas, Estate Concordia Preserve and Harmony Studios on St. John; Arawak Bay: The Inn at Salt River, Carrington’s Inn, Club St. Croix and Colony Cove (Antilles Resorts), Company House Hotel, Frederiksted Hotel, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Holger Danske Hotel, Hotel Caravelle, Hotel on the Cay, King Christian Hotel, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Sand Castle on the Beach, Tamarind Reef Hotel and Villa Greenleaf on St. Croix; At Home in the Tropics Bed & Breakfast, Galleon House, The Green Iguana, The Inn at Villa Olga, Miller Manor Hotel & Guesthouse, Pavilions and Pools (Antilles Resorts), Pineapple Village Villas, Sapphire Village, Crystal Cove and Watergate on St. Thomas and Virgin Islands Campgrounds on Water Island. 

The INNtimate Treasures package applies to new bookings only. Reservations can be made through any travel agent or directly through the participating hotels’ reservation desks.

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.visitusvi.com, follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/usvimockojumbie) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/visitusvi). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel—including on-line check-in—making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever.  As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

We look forward to welcoming you to our dynamic islands!

Sincerely,

Beverly Nicholson-Doty
Commissioner
United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism